CAROL'S COMMENT

Please,I have to ask a question......(This is not aimed at anyone and not intended for any disrespect) Why,please tell me why......people w/type 2 continue to eat anyway that they want and then ask...Whats wrong w/me,I cant get my numbers down?" My mother did this..ate carbs,fruits,sugars,candy,etc(laughed while eating it)and then paid the price...her heart exploded one day and she died. I have been so angry at her for "Oh just one piece wont hurt" She left her whole family devastated and angry.

DEB F. MY DIABETES JOURNEY TO WELLNESS

My Diabetes Journey to Wellness

I’m the luckiest person in the world. Seems like a strange statement coming from a person with diabetes, doesn’t it? But it is very true. This is my story.


On June 28, 2007 I was out with family celebrating my niece’s tenth birthday. We let her choose what she wanted to do, which was miniature golf. I had been feeling off for several weeks – tired, sweaty, and thirsty all the time. Plus, I had lost weight.

I remember being especially hot that day. We had made it to the fifth hole when I started feeling lightheaded. Before I made it to the next hole, I collapsed. I came to shortly afterwards. I consider myself very fortunate because I had two of my brothers with me that day – one who is an EMT; another who has diabetes. They recognized my symptoms and tested my blood glucose levels. I registered a 555. My brothers told me that was way too high and insisted that I contact my doctor. I scheduled my appointment and was formally diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes on July 2, 2007.

My family doctor gave me very basic information on diabetes, a referral to a diabetes educator, and prescriptions for a meter, lancets, test strips, and Metformin. The Metformin made me so sick, I could not leave the house. My doc wanted me to give it a month to see if it would level out. It didn’t.

Over the next two years, we tried every drug on the market in an attempt to control my diabetes. Nothing seemed to work to bring down my numbers – and I had a reaction to everything. I finally ended up on a combination of an extended release Metformin, Glipizide, Actos, with Lantus in the evenings to get me to near normal levels.

As many of you know, that’s a pretty expensive cocktail. I am self-employed, and do not have prescription drug insurance coverage, so the cost of all these meds comes out of my pocket. I was always looking for ways to save on costs.

During this time I went through all the typical feelings of anger, depression, and feeling sorry for myself. I gained 90 pounds and felt horrible about myself.

One day while skimming through news headlines in the Wall Street Journal, I came across a news piece about a diabetes study that was being done by The Cleveland Clinic. I clicked on the link to read the article and that was when the excitement and hope began to come back into my life. The purpose of the study was to find which

option offered the best solution to the Type 2 diabetic: drug treatment; gastric sleeve surgery; or bypass surgery. Study participants would be randomized into one of the three groups. I had nothing to lose and a lot to potentially gain by participating.

I called the number listed in the article and answered the preliminary questions. As I had been on insulin for less than five years, I was considered a good candidate for inclusion in the study, but there were additional tests that I had to take and pass before I could be accepted – and I had to commit to being available for five years for participation in the study. A stack of documents (about an inch thick) was sent to me, which I immediately completed and returned. About a month later I received a call telling me that I had passed the initial cut and would I be willing to come in to meet with a study coordinator.

Over the next few months I went through a battery of tests: blood work, EKG, eye test, psychological testing, you name it. The worst was the stress test. Try doing that when you’re 90 pounds overweight. Any one of these could have eliminated me from the study. Fortunately that did not happen.
On October 28, 2010 I was randomized into the group to receive the gastric sleeve surgery. My surgery took place the afternoon of November 15. I had been told to expect to spend 2-3 days in the hospital afterwards. I was really hoping for only two days because my birthday was the 17th and who wants to spend their entire birthday in the hospital. The surgery itself took about five hours and went fine. I was up the next day and walking around. On Wednesday morning I was taken down to the X-ray Dept. so that they could take a picture of my new, improved, size-of-a-quarter stomach (they called it a pouch). I had to drink a liquid to contrast in the image. It did not go well. It made me sick and the image showed a leak in the pouch. I ended up staying in the hospital until Friday in order to allow time for the leak to seal.


My diet for the first two weeks after my release was milk with added protein. Then I graduated to jars of baby food. Everything with added protein. I had to take my time eating – at least 30 minutes per meal – otherwise I would experience dumping. I spent the Christmas holiday with family and decided that I was feeling well enough to eat regular food. It was a mistake to introduce regular food back into my diet before recommended. It made me sick. I strongly urge anyone who has this surgery to follow the dietary instructions to the letter when you are released.

I am now 3.5 years out from my surgery. I’m 80 pounds lighter. I’m off all my diabetes meds – no insulin, no blood pressure meds! I have to take a multi-vitamin every day and I take extra vitamin D. I feel better than I have in years. I have a second chance at the life I want to live and I intend to maintain what this surgery and The Cleveland Clinic helped me achieve.

SANDY'S COMMENT

Good morning everyone! Just wanted to share that because of the jump start and support this group has given me, I made up my mind to take my diabetes by the horns and get serious with my eating habits, which basically were eat whatever I wanted!!! Just in the past 3 weeks, I have been counting the calories and carbs of everything I put in my mouth. I typed up a chart where I record my BS several times a day, my blood pressure, and weight. I also write down everything I eat for all 3 meals and include 2 snacks in there. This has really helped me. I have started eated healthier and my husband even loves the stir-fri meals I cook. In just 3 weeks, I have lost 23 pounds!!! Woo Hoo! My BS has come down, along with my blood pressure and pulse! If I can do this, so can you!!! Today is the first day of the rest of your life!

MOLLIE'S COMMENT

I have been reading a book about diabetes- The Things Doctors Don't Tell You About diabetes. It is enlightening. I was mostly shocked to read that the ADA says that a person with a 180mg post-prandial is "keeping good control." Other research uses 140, and yet others 120. I'm shocked by the disparity of numbers quoted by various medical organizations. It seems the ADA is the worst. For now, I personally want to try to get as close to 120 as possible, but even if I can't as long as I keep my BG under 140 I'm happy. I was only diagnosed in April of this year.

Also of interest was that if you have some blood disorder, say like anemia, your a1c will be off. African Americans who have sickle cell anemia also will show a misleading a1c. All sorts of factors come into play, so for doctors to generalise a1c as the litmus test for diabetes or not, should make sure there aren't any other factors affecting a1c. Plus, ultimately it is your post-prandials that count the most- at least according to this book.

Interesting stuff to learn. Taking it all with a grain of salt though, but the author himself is a diabetic. Gads, my brain hurts now, LOL.

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MELINDA'S TIP

•  Most chain fast food places and chain restaurants post carb information either on their website or at their restaurants. But really, since we are all different in our food tolerances, who decides what is "diabetic-friendly"? We do, not some company. We decide what is healthy for us, we just have to learn self-control, learn to plan ahead if we are eating out, and learn how to navigate the grocery store to best suit our individual needs. It can be done. :)

MARK'S STORY

I was recently diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes in April with a BS level of 430 and my A1C was 13.2. The lab contacted me at 9:30 pm and suggested I go to the ER for immediate treatment. I preferred to visit my Dr in the AM and was immediately prescribed 1000mg of Metformin 2x/day, 5mg of Glipizide 2x/day with meals and 10cc of Lantus injected at bedtime. I went to a Diabetes intro class and issued an Accu Check meter and strips. At the class, my BS was down to 320 but still high. I continued for a few days restricting any grain and still having fruit in the AM with yogurt. My BS was still over 200 2 hrs after eating. My symptoms were constant urination and unquenchable thirst along with leg cramps in my calves each morning. My mother has T2D and I'm the third of seven children diagnosed
I cut out fruit, grain, rice, potatoes and restricted my diet to 20g of sugar carbs per day. I have long been an advocate of Low Carb/High Fat diets such as Dr. Atkins. While I found the finger pricking annoying at times, I believed it was a necessary afterthought to maintain health that would prolong my life with a minimal of complications. I check my BS before and after each meal. My nightly injection of Lantus is no problem. It is minor in the scheme of things.
My first 30 day A1C dropped to 9.2 and my most recent A1C after 60 days was 6.2. I continue with meds until directed otherwise by my PCP. My LDL was 82/HDL 38 Total Chol 135, Triglyc 75. I also invested in a FitBit Flex to monitor my daily steps and sleep patterns. I'm 58 and 5'10, 235 lbs with a goal weight of 180. I work on losing 20 lbs at a time so I'm not overwhelmed. I've only had one low BS of 48 and felt shaky, clammy and weak. I immediately ate a juicy peach and a slice of pizza and a beer and was at 95 within 20 minutes. I should note that I am a veteran and covered by the VA for all of my meds and supplies with a small copay.
Some of my favorite foods are Dannon Carb Smart Vanilla Yogurt with Cinnamon (3g sugar), Premier Protein shakes (30g protein, 1g sugar). On the go, I carry celery stalks and a jar of Smuckers Natural Peanut Butter (1g sugar) for a quick snack.
Salads for lunch with fresh greens, tomatoes, cheese, and bacon bits with sugar free Walden Farms Balsamic Vinaigrette. My favorite is a fresh tomato, fresh mozzarella and basil drizzled with balsamic vinaigrette.
Rotisserie Chicken with grilled asparagus, squash, zucchini, peppers and onions. A low carb spinach dip with celery stalks as an appetizer. I continue to have 2 glasses of red wine each night with dinner. I save my favorite, Chardonnay for the weekends. A variety of cheeses without the crackers and an olive medley instead of grapes. When I reach my goal weight, I will reintroduce fresh fruits into my daily routine.
I also have Russel Stover sugar free mint patties or coconut patties for a sweet treat. I enjoy frozen sugar free ice pops or a Jello Temptations Sugar free Mouse topped with whipped cream (1g sugar).
For a treat, I go to Chili's and have a Tableside Guacamole with chips, salsa and wine. The chips don't raise my BS above 130 and has replaced my love for pizza.
My wish for everyone is to embrace Diabetes as a healthy empowerment rather than an embarrassing curse. There are those with T2D that fight the guidance and those that embrace it, going with the required focus. Those that fight it are those with the greater likelihood for complications or a shortened lifespan. Hope this has been helpful.

ROSE'S STORY

Doing the HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY Dance  My A1c today was 5.2 ( non diabetic level ) BUT Im always a diabetic Still on Meformin but NO MORE insulin at night . Good Cholesterol is up and She is estatic lol more than I was really lol . Triglycerides are still up a bit tho .. not alarming but still there .. goes along with diabetes . Hoping to get even lower next reading  See WE can BEAT IT . Keep the faith